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Income Taxes in Canada

General Information

In Canada, the income tax year is from January 1 to December 31 and the deadline to complete and mail your Income Tax forms is April 30. You are responsible for determining your income tax status and paying the correct amount of tax. Most international students “file a tax return” (submit an income tax form to the government) in order to receive tax credits (money from governments or the chance to lower taxes later).

Students are responsible for determining your income tax status and paying the correct amount of tax. Students can get help with filing their tax return at tax clinics on campus and in the London community.

Do you need to file a tax return?

As an international student, any income you earn during the 2014 calendar year while in Canada is subject to Canadian Income Tax and you therefore are required to file a tax return. Income you earn can be through work, scholarships, bursaries, research grants, fellowships, investments, etc. Depending on the amount of money you earned, you may receive a refund, but it is also possible that you may have to pay taxes.

If you did not earn any income, there are still benefits to filing a tax return such as being eligible to receive certain payments or tax credits.

Important:

International Students are required to file an income tax return if:

they receive any income (from employment, scholarship/bursary, fellowship, assistantship, research grant, investments, etc.)

they want to claim a refund

they want to apply for the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax), Ontario Trillium Benefit, and other tax credits

they or their spouse or common-law partner want to start or continue receiving Canada Child Tax Benefit payments

Even if you did not receive income from a Canadian source, it is recommended that all international students complete an income tax return for the following reasons:

you may qualify for some tax credit (a refund of money) like the HST tax credits and the Ontario Trillium Benefits

you can carry forward the unused part of your tuition and education credit amounts from the current year to a future year when you may be working

Employment income, scholarships, research grants and investments are all subject to Canadian income tax. Depending on the amount of money you earned and your eligibility for deductions, you may receive a refund, but it is also possible that you may have to pay taxes.

In February you may begin receiving several tax documents (called T-slips) by mail (e.g., T4, T4A, T2202A, T5, donation receipts, etc.). Make sure to keep all of these as you will need them to file your Income Tax Return.

Other receipts you may need to file your tax return may include (this is not a complete list):

Rent receipts (if you lived off-campus)

Bus receipts (for monthly or longer bus passes)

Health care expenses, including UHIP and your extended health plan

Child care, camp, and children's activities expenses

and others...

It is important to keep copies of all your receipts, income tax forms that you send, and Notices of Assessment received as part of your personal records for a minimum of six years.

﻿Income Tax Information Session for International Students

Do you have questions about how to file a Canadian Income Tax Return and what that is all about? Then come to our Income Tax Information Session for International Students! We will give an overview of the Canadian tax system, help you determine your residency status (for tax purposes), and review the process on how to file your taxes and referral to Tax Clinics in the community. After the presentation there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

Please note that this is a general information session only. We will not be completing your income tax return.

﻿Income Tax Clinics for Students

Every year, the University Student's Council (USC) offers a FREEIncome Tax Clinic for undergraduate students.

There are also a number of FREE Income Tax Clinics throughout the city, through CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). The CVITP is a collaboration between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and community organizations. The organizations host tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation.

Useful Resources - Where to get information and help with income taxes: